NHPRI donates $31,500 to support EMT training program

NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH President and CEO Peter Marino, left, foreground, speaks with Katherine Vargas, an RINI-MC student in the EMT program, along with Keith Oliveira, RINI-MC chief operating officer and director of admissions. /COURTESY NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH PLAN OF RHODE ISLAND
NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH President and CEO Peter Marino, left, foreground, speaks with Katherine Vargas, an RINI-MC student in the EMT program, along with Keith Oliveira, RINI-MC chief operating officer and director of admissions. /COURTESY NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH PLAN OF RHODE ISLAND

PROVIDENCE – Thanks to a $31,500 grant from Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island, 10 local students will complete a novel emergency medical technician training program at the Rhode Island Nurses Institute Middle College Charter School. A Providence-based charter high school educating the next generation of nurses with a focus on health technology, public health and home-based care, RINI-MC currently has 272 students enrolled.

Several RINI-MC students, who met Neighborhood President and CEO Peter Marino during his May 24 visit to the school, told Marino that Neighborhood’s financial support has allowed them to explore a health care path they hadn’t thought they would be able to experience.

A statement from Neighborhood quoted RINI-MC senior Dwight Osborne: “I can’t begin to show my appreciation for the gift that has been given to me over the past few months. But in the near future, the knowledge you have invested in me will save a life. That’s when everyone will see how important it is to have well-educated pre-hospital emergency care staff.”

“Neighborhood and [RINI-MC] want to support you and our community, and give you the tools you need to succeed,” Marino told the students, 10 of whom are enrolled currently in the EMT training program, a semester-long course. “We are making this investment in you – and we expect a lot out of you. We hope that you’ll take what you learn here and eventually work in the neighborhoods you know and love.”

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As the nation’s first public charter school to focus on nursing and health care, RINI-MC works to prepare the state’s next generation of health care professionals. Students are able to take college-level courses and pursue workforce certifications in health care. RINI-MC could not afford to offer this EMT training until Neighborhood made its grant.

“We are so grateful to Neighborhood … for believing in our school’s mission, for investing in our program and for supporting our students in meeting their career dreams and goals,” RINI-MC CEO Pamela McCue said in the statement. “Thanks to this EMT program, our students are able to fill high-demand jobs in our state as first responders. They can also contribute to the health of their communities, and gain valuable experience and income to pursue the next steps in their education for advanced nursing and health care provider roles.”

“Remember that health care is personal,” Marino told the students.  “The kindness and compassion you bring to your work will make all the difference.”

Nancy Kirsch is a PBN contributing writer.

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